Vest

A Native American (Ute) beaded vest worn by Buckskin Charley. The vest is made of buckskin which is entirely covered with multicolor beadwork in designs of stylized American flags and geometric shapes on a white background. The interior of the vest is striped cotton.

Date

[between 1900 and 1930]

Notes

Accession ID: E.1993; History Colorado.; Curatorial note supplied by History Colorado: "Ute man's beaded vest. Buckskin, completely beaded on outside surface with short metallic fringe at bottom. Closes with three sinew ties at front. Inside is lined with striped cotton cloth. Exterior beadwork: white ground. Two stylized American flags on front at each upper breast, two on upper back at center. Motif that appears twice on front (at each side of vest) and twice on back, resembles a vertically oriented mirror-image figurative form, called an "arrow form" on old cataloging sheet. Form consists of a central diamond in dark blue with a cross form inside (red center with white arms outlined in green).; Extending away from diamond to top and bottom is a stepped line of red, yellow and navy (resembling arms), terminating on either side in a red square with two points- similar to a stylized tooth- (resembling hands). Further away from the central diamond, following a narrow red central line (torso), is a green arrow shaped "v" form (legs) terminating at either point in small blue triangles (feet). Beadwork at sides, beneath arm holes consists of a vertical line of green and yellow squares, the yellow with red stripes at right and left sides, crosses horizontally by 3 snake-like figures, also green. The snake figures extend a short distance to either side of vertical strip, have white "eyes" and terminate in red triangles.; Italian beads used were not available after 1915. Belonged to Buckskin Charley, sub-chief of the Southern Utes. Donated by the Barry Sullivan family memorial collection. Sullivan was a close friend of Buckskin Charley. Letter in association with this vest dated April 20, 1961, Durango Colorado, to the Montrose Chamber of Commerce reads as follows: "Gentlemen; I understand you have a Ute museum in your city and if this is so I have Buckskin Charley's beaded vest and his war bonnet, which he sent to the late Barry Sullivan when he was dying, and as was ????? into the tribe I would like to send them to the museum in memory of the Barry Sullivan family. Please let me hear from you by return mail. Thank you. Very truly yours, Marie C. Andrews, 491 East 9th, Durango Colo.""; Object ID: E.1993.1; Scanned image from loaned transparency including Object ID.; Title supplied.; R7200200157